Sound suppressors are regulated under the same regulation that sees over transfer of full auto toys. It's perfectly legal under Federal Law within the regulations of the National Firearms Act of 1934. The thing that puts it into a FUBAR situation is the states when they start to inact some goofy laws, I think it's Washington where it's legal to own a sound suppressor but it's illegal to actually use it/fire it. Then there's California which makes a habit out of denying any requests to own NFA items.
To put one on an AR15, the thing needs to be a pre-94 Assault Weapons ban rifle that is entitled to all it's evil little features. Sound suppressors are infact VERY effective flash suppressors since they contain so much of the muzzle blast and cool it so effectively to suppress the muzzle blast, with post94 AR15s one of the things they can't have is a flash suppressor so therefore no sound suppressors for post94 "neutered" AR15s.

Yes, just as you will be able to mount a real flash hider on a post ban unless they make it illegal again. Obtaining the Suppressor is the hard part - legal but it takes some doing, and you have to be in a State which has no local laws against owning them. Worth the hassle if you got the $$$ IMO.

"I'll never fully trust people with cheap guns. I think they're all moments away from being criminals." - Tweak

Originally Posted By uglygun:
I think it's Washington where it's legal to own a sound suppressor but it's illegal to actually use it/fire it.

View Quote

That is correct.

View Quote

Washington law (9 RCW 41) says "the use of any device to surpress the noise of a firearm is illegal". What about ear muffs, ear plugs and range baffles? This wisdom of some legislators is truely infinite. The attorney general's opinion is it's legal to own a supressor but you can't shoot through it.